The plan was to summit Change Peak via my descent route
from last week's summit of Greenway Peak. I had to wait until my wife returned
from an obligation in the morning before I could leave. With an evening plans
also I needed something close and efficient. I also was expecting some rainy
weather to move in so I wanted to avoid that if I could. I parked again at the
Olallie Trailhead and suited up. Since it was warm I left off a layer. I left
the car and headed straight into the brush for the short jaunt to the access
road above. I made good time to the point where I had rejoined the trail the
week prior. I gave some thought to putting on snowshoes but I thought I would
see first how it would go without. Staying in my faint track was provided enough
support to leave the shoes attached to my pack. While it wasn't raining enough
water was dripping off the trees to warrant adding some rain gear. I enjoyed the
feel of the mostly untracked snow to the ridge above. Once reaching some open
slopes I diverged from my previous descent to use the more open but much steeper
slopes. I was able to reach the road very near the striking rock formation on
the ridge.
I stopped for a short break and made my way North to see
what lay ahead. I could see another 200' above me before the cloud deck obscured
my view. The 200' I could see appeared to be an easy jaunt, but without being
able to see the remaining elevation I had an internal debate. In the end I
decided that I would rather summit Change Peak in better weather in order to
captialize on the views. I turned my attention to climbing further on the road
to rejoin the route I had layed last week. I also new of another party who had
made there way from Washington to Greenway so I knew that I would have a beaten
path all the way to Mt Washington. Once reaching the more recent path the pace
quickened. After reaching the summit there was a variety of ways to descend. I
was even able to have a short glissade on the way down. I was at least 30
minutes behind my optimum time so I did my best to keep a good pace. The upper
portions of the trail however where slippery and required vigilance. I did
manage to cross pass with my wife before she left and was able to meet her for
our evening plans.
Approx 8.5 miles 3600' of climb 4:15 car to car